LECOM NEWS

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine hosted commencement ceremonies for its largest medical and pharmacy classes, along with the school’s second class of master’s degree candidates on Sunday, June 1, in Erie. A similar ceremony for the first graduating class at the LECOM Bradenton campus was held June 8.

LECOM Bradenton LECOM Bradenton graduated 136 medical students at its inaugural commencement on Sunday, June 8.

The first graduating class of the LECOM Bradenton College of Medicine includes 136 students.Click photo for larger image.

It was a proud and historic day for the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton as the inaugural graduating class received their diplomas at the Manatee Civic and Convention Center in Palmetto, Fla.

In front of family, friends, distinguished faculty and guests, 136 medical students received their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees.

Commencement speaker Ana M. Viamonte Ros, Surgeon General of the state of Florida, encouraged students to appreciate life, appreciate their community and appreciate their challenges.

Leading up to commencement, students took part in a variety of activities. In a touching ceremony, 10 LECOM Bradenton students received their military commissions. The husband and wife team of Keith and Prudence Knigge pinned lieutenant shoulder boards to each other’s Navy whites. Also receiving commissions were: Paul Bures, Aidith Flores, Daniel Heard, Rachael Sanchez and Randall Scott (Navy), Gabriel Johnson (Army), Weston Winkler and Liana Rodriguez (Air Force).

Each commissioned officer received a Military Challenge Coin, which signifies the commitment the military graduates will make to their country and to the service personnel they will have as patients.

LECOM Bradenton also held its first awards ceremony on Friday, June 6. Students and faculty were honored at the event held at Lakewood Ranch Country Club.

LECOM Erie On Sunday, June 1, at 2 p.m. at the Louis J. Tullio Arena, 218 medical students, 123 pharmacy students and six Master of Science in Medical Education students from LECOM Erie received their degrees.

More than 200 students graduated in the College of Medicine class of 2008 (top) and more than 120 students graduated in the School of Pharmacy on Sunday, June 1.Click photos for larger images.

Sunday’s event marked the 12th commencement for the school’s College of Medicine, whose students received the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. The School of Pharmacy graduated its fourth class, with each student receiving a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.

The 2008 Commencement falls in LECOM’s 15th anniversary year. The College opened in August 1993.

The keynote speaker for this year’s event was Carlo DiMarco, D.O., professor and regional dean of clinical medicine at LECOM and a board certified osteopathic ophthalmologist. In July 2007, Dr. DiMarco was named president-elect of the American Osteopathic Association and will assume the presidency in July. As chair of both the Department of Professional Affairs and Department of Education of the AOA, and former president of Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association and the American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgeons, Dr. DiMarco has long maintained a leadership role within the osteopathic medical profession.

A longtime member of the AOA Board of Trustees, Dr. DiMarco also served as chair of what is now known as the Committee on AOA Governance and Organizational Structure and vice chair of the Bureau of AOA Constitution and Bylaws. In addition to his involvement with the AOA, Dr. DiMarco was team ophthalmologist for the Philadelphia 76ers from 1995 to 2006 and team ophthalmologist for the Philadelphia Wings lacrosse team from 2000 to 2006.